As we discussed in the class, President Obama made a historic speech on Nuclear Disarmament at Prague on April 5th, 2009.
Assignment:
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Please post your comments on US domestic and international responses to President Obama's nuclear disarmament plan. You need to
- (1) specify your selected political leader's or country's name and online resources (set a link to the original sources)
- (2) summarize the key points of his/her arguments.
While many in the international community applaud President Obama and his plan for global disarmament he still has many critics. Most notably Kim Yong ll, and President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad of Iran. Not only do the two arouse the suspicion of the International Community because of the threat they pose to thier neighbors; but becaue they have been defiant as far as, the testing of weaponry, and the rumored acquisicion of weapons grade materials, that can be used to create nuclear weapons at the behest of the international community. In response to N.Korea recent launch of a missle Sec of State Hilary Clinton called it quote "unnecessary" saying further the U.S. hopes to discuss the matter with its allies and partners and eventually with the North Koreans.
ReplyDelete(The Associated Press 2008)
Thank You
Jonas Holt
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ReplyDeletePresident Obama's ambition to eventually move to a nuclear weapon-free world is a distant dream. However, the first steps that he mentioned in his speech in Prague that day are being taken. A couple of weeks ago, Russia and the United States held their first negotiations on this new agreement to reduce their nuclear weapon supplies. Last month, Obama and Medvedev agreed to reduce their arsenals at the last G20 meeting. However, President Medvedev has some conditions.
ReplyDeleteRussia wants to see a new treaty reducing the number of nuclear warheads in delivery systems and missiles fired from land or the sea. They also want to ban all weapons in space. In addition, Russia is against adding new counties to NATO, such as Georgia and Ukraine.
With Obama's dedication to this cause, it will be interesting to see how these negotiations go.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/24/russia-us-talks-treaty-nuclear-stockpiles)
-Malati Vadapalli
The government of Iran does not support President Obama's plans for nuclear disarmament. They feel that the U.S. operates under a double standard when it come to their policy on Israel's nuclear weapons and Iran's nuclear program. The Iranians have stated they want to use their nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes such as generating efficient energy to power their country. However countries such as the United States and Israel believe they have the capabilities to make weapons which in turn would would threaten the security of Israel since both states are antagonistic to one another. In addition, the Iranians would like the U.S. to make a more concerted effort to change its foreign policy stance in relation to Iran. It would like the U.S. to unfreeze its assets and lift other economic sanctions that are affecting the country. If the U.S. clears away these obstacles then the Iranian government would be more willing to talk about their nuclear capabilities. For President Obama's plan to work it has to overcome years of tension and conflict in the region.
ReplyDelete(www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510020,00.html)
Stanley Putnam
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ReplyDeleteWhile the reality of a “world free of nuclear weapons” is an undeniably distant hope, President Obama outlined the steps that he plans to take towards this goal in a speech he gave in Prague in April 2009. North Korea fired another unforeseen ballistic missile previous to the speech, which prompted the topic by the President. He spoke of a projected plan to start an international nuclear energy bank that countries could use for nuclear fuel. President Obama also mentioned developing a treaty that would stop the creation of the ingredients needed to create nuclear warheads. Assuring the audience, he included the guarantee that the defensive bases located in the area will not be removed until the United States government is sure that Iran is no longer a nuclear threat. Having to admit that the United States would continue their nuclear reserves until every other country is rid of them made it seem like this goal would never be realized, however, the President did mention a treaty made with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreeing to reduce the level of nuclear reserves of both Russia and the United States. The goal of “total nuclear disarmament” is one that appears to be optimistic yet improbable.
ReplyDeleteArticle from an Independent UK News Site
"Obama Calls for Total Nuclear Disarmament"
by David Usborne
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/obama-calls-for-total-nuclear-disarmament-1663467.html
President Obama’s speech sounds too good to be true. And that’s exactly what it was, just a speech. Of course, his speech was well-received, who really wants the lingering threat of nuclear weapons? While speeches are necessary to motivate and encourage global actors to work together for a goal such as nuclear disarmament, a speech is only words, and action will be the most important part. According to this article from the BBC, the author seems rather blasé about Obama’s speech and other actions. He criticizes the President’s priorities which include a photo opportunity with his family. It is also stated that not much has actually changed just yet. The April, 5 Prague speech is definitely a step in a positive direction, just as the President said, it will take time, and we can look forward to this, but perhaps, not in the near future.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7989433.stm
Here is the link to Japan's response to President Obama's Nuclear Disarmament plan on April 5th.
ReplyDelete(http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/japan/2009/japan-090406-voa01.htm)
Japan's basic position is "Japan has expressed strong support for U.S. President Barack Obama's call for a 'nuclear weapons-free world'."
Obama the great orator, spoke of the need for peace and how proliferation of nuclear weapons has created security issues. During his speech, the president, touched on a number of issues, the one I found most interesting was a missile defense system that would be placed in the Czech Republic. It was kind of a double-edged sword; Obama stated that he wants to reduce the size of our nuclear arsenal, while ramping up defenses. Seems like a way to make every one happy, whether the focus is North Korea or Iran. Obama’s European presence seems to be putting the Afghanistan war in the forefront. Which is just what Obama needs, backing from Europe. The United States needs slightly more military backing for operations in Afghanistan as well as the defense systems that will be put in place. Over all I felt Obama’s Speech was well constructed, always talking about war might not be the most pertinent but anything is better than speaking about the economy.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7984353.stm
Chris C.
President Obama’s nuclear disarmament speech:
ReplyDeletePresident Barack Obama met in Prague a free Czech Republic nation in Europe an ally to the United States. Most importantly, it is a nation that is surrounded by nations with nuclear capabilities. These nations as responsible leaders in the worlds’ security are in a position to control the safety and welfare not only for its own citizens, but those throughout the community.
President Obama pointed to the concerns of the economic conditions that all nations along with the United States are currently experiencing. That is why the President has implemented his stimulus program that accounts for over a trillion dollars for the International Monetary Fund to help assist the worlds’ economic state.
It is in my view that because of the economic state of the economies throughout the world it present concerns for the destructive activity by those nations with ill intent to create catastrophic consequence for all of us. The events of September 11, 2001 that the city of New York experienced within the borders of the United States proves why there should be concern of this magnitude. This hideous crime was committed by a terrorist group known as ‘Al Qaeda’ located in the country of Afghanistan who borders the country of Pakistan. Pakistan being an ally to the United States also has nuclear capabilities.
Al Qaeda has been a threat to Pakistan and is invading it borders today. If the nuclear weapons fall in the hands of this terrorist group, not only the neighboring nations but the world is at serious risk. So it is important for the support of all nations in the world. President Obama made it clear that this matters to people everywhere, which could kill hundreds of thousands of people.
Geri Lewis
This is as extremely optimistic speech that does not acknowledge two key factors: how will nations safely dispose of nuclear weapons? And how will cooperative nations punish nations that break the rules and produce nuclear weapons? In a perfect world this would be a possibility. However, our world is by no means perfect. No matter how much we would like to admit; there will always be war. In war the ultimate power—although rarely used—is that of nuclear weapons. There are far too many power hungry nations (including the United States) for the entire world to agree on a nuclear disarmament. As long as other nations posses nuclear weapons, the United States will have triple the amount of nuclear warheads.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when there is a total disarmament things fall through the cracks. Meaning, there will be millions of nuclear warheads to dispose of. Is it possible to trust nations such as, the Soviet Union, not to sell some of these weapons on the black market? This puts nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists, which ultimately puts the terrorists in power.
I do like Obama’s bravery in putting something so idealistic out there in a speech to NATO. He does admit in his speech that this may not happen in his life time; but he can at least attempt to begin paving the pathway. He is doing this by proposing a nuclear reduction agreement between Russia and the United States. Russia’s initial response was tentative; they agree with the proposal, but want more facts and details within the Nuclear Disarmament Treaty.
--Brent Stapleton
When President Obama spoke in Prague, along with the G-20 summit, it is obvios he is trying to use some degree of prevention to stave off a pointless nuclear detonation by a non-state entity.This showed that the United States is beginning to realize that the threat of nuclear attack is less likely to come from one of our competing countries, china, and is far more likely to be from a roue nation, Iran, or error from old and unmaintained soviet era nuclear eqiupment. it would be sad if a populated area got nuked because the Krenlin thought a flock og geese was a pre-enmtive strike. I would like to reflect on the statements of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek who I feel echoes most of Europe. He, like most other leaders of European nations, on both sides of NATO believe that the missile interceptor system being placed in Europe is an offensive move and is likely to make anywhere that they are deployed a target. Also, they don't really work, at all. The United States should be a leader and is a leader in high science, to have that goal and responsibility we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. I feel that the president has made important progress on this trip, so long as some of these ideals become policy.
ReplyDeletehttp://online.wsj.come/article/SB123890987232590185.htm
Joe Puleo
Devvora Olalere
ReplyDeletePS 2810
10/05/09
Obama’s speech on nuclear disarmament
On April 5, 2009 Barack Obama called for a global summit on nuclear security and the forging of new partnerships to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The summit took place in front of Prague’s historic castle, where president Obama hoped to negotiate a new treaty to end the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. Moreover, the American president said that as long as Iran continued to pose a potential nuclear threat, the US would continue to work on a controversial missile defense shield, parts of which would be stationed in Poland and the Czech Republic. Additionally, he answered to North Korea’s provocative rocket launch earlier in the day by stating that "North Korea must know that the path to security and respect will never come through threats and illegal weapons."
Earlier that week, at the NATO’s 60th Anniversary, in Strasbourg France, President Barack Obama talked with other nation leaders about his presidential plans; most popular were the elimination of nuclear weapons, the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison and the tackling of global warming. At that summit Mr. Obama praised president Sarkozy as "courageous on so many fronts, it's hard to keep up" and for displaying "initiative, imagination, creativity" in tackling difficult problems. Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd president of the France Republic who pledged his nation would send more police trainers and development assistance to Afghanistan. He also said that France will reduce by one-third its airborne force of nuclear weapons, leaving the nation with fewer than 300 warheads. Many of those are aboard submarines. Interestingly, on Mr. Obama’s plan on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, Sarkozy announced France would accept one prisoner from the detention center for suspected terrorists. "We can't condemn the United States to have this camp and then simply wash our hands of the whole business when they close it down.
References:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7983963.stm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340225,00.html
On April 5, 2009, president Barack Obama made a speech in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. In his speech, he "called for a global summit on nuclear security and the forging of new partnerships to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. He said he hoped to negotiate a new treaty to end the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons."
ReplyDeleteHaving a "world free of nuclear weapons" can happen, but it is nearly impossible. He said he would try to achieve this goal but it will be very hard to do. He assured the audience that this can be done by strengthening our alliances abd taking many steps to have a world free of nuclear weapons. Actions are louder than words so Obama has to be ready for whatever comes along his way for his idea of having a world free of nuclear weapons.
On April 5, 2009, president Barack Obama made a speech in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. In his speech, he "called for a global summit on nuclear security and the forging of new partnerships to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. He said he hoped to negotiate a new treaty to end the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons."
ReplyDeleteHaving a "world free of nuclear weapons" can happen, but in my opinion, it is nearly impossible. He said he would try to achieve this goal but it will be very hard to do so. He assured the audience that this can be done by strengthening our alliances and taking many steps to have a world free of nuclear weapons. Actions are louder than words so Obama has to be ready for whatever comes along his way for his idea of having a world free of nuclear weapons.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7984353.stm